Last Updated on May 13, 2018 by cassnetwork
Mary Ann (Sailors) Appleton Downhour, 87, Walton, passed away at 7:18 p.m. Friday, May 11, 2018, in the St. Vincent Hospital, Carmel.
Born November 9, 1930, in Clymers, she was the daughter of the late Leo J. and Lorena (Farrer) Sailors.
On September 19, 1947, in the Young America Baptist Church, she was married to Robert “Bob” Appleton, who preceded her in death. She was later married to Duane Downhour, who also preceded her in death.
Mary Ann retired from Wilson Foods where she worked in the accounting office with farmers who were selling hogs. Mary Ann and her husband, Bob, farmed and raised sheep in Clinton Township. For many years, she volunteered as the sexton of the St. John’s Cemetery Association.
A member of the Clymers United Methodist Church and the Onward Christian Church, Mary Ann had taught Sunday School for many years at Clymers.
Mary Ann was an excellent cook and was best known for the delicious pickles she canned. She had a large garden and enjoyed canning. She was always ready to tackle another project whether it was sewing, restoring antiques or re-caning chairs. Mary Ann’s woodworking and refinishing skills are on display all over Cass County. She loved her family dearly – her grandkids and great-grandkids kept her young.
Surviving are four children: Janet (Bob) Shafer and LaDinna (Bernie) Altman, all of Burnettsville, Max (Joni) Appleton, Summersville, Missouri, and Dallas Appleton, Logansport; two sisters: Marlene (Charles) Remley, Walton, and Kay Harvey, Noblesville: nine grandchildren: Kelly Shafer, Kent Shafer, Krista (Jody) Wilburn, Rob Appleton, Jay (Rachel) Appleton, Nicholas Appleton (Robin Jackson), Samuel (Leslie) Appleton, Casey (Karisa) Appleton and Henry Altman; seventeen great-grandchildren: Trevor (Delores) Hickey, Tanner Alexander, Tianna Perigo, Kaitlyn Shafer, Parker, Collin and Chloe Wilburn, Kaden, Braxton, and Carly Appleton, Lexie Gray, Ryley, Zoey, Oliver, Willa, Pryce and Porter Appleton; one great-great-granddaughter, Ryker Hickey and a great-great-grandson on the way; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, James, J.T., Everett “Cook” and Donald “Mouse” Sailors; and one sister, Lucille Turner.
A memorial service celebrating Mary Ann’s life will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16 in Fisher Funeral Chapel.
Friends will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the service on Wednesday.
Burial, at a later date, will be in the St. John’s Cemetery, near Clymers.
Memorial contributions may be to the St. John’s Cemetery Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral chapel.